All 2008 Idaho Opinions
New hope for Idaho's salmon now that 'legion of doom' leaving office In January, President George W. Bush, Idaho Sen. Larry Craig and U.S. Rep. Bill Sali will be out of their respective offices, and the opportunity for a new dialogue on salmon recovery in Idaho will begin.
Obama would do well to follow Kempthorne's example in the West As President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take the helm, he should pay attention to the lessons learned from the recently-announced Klamath River deal as well as the continued controversy over the Clinton-era "roadless rule," and follow Interior Secretary's Dirk Kempthorne's collaborative model to reasonable policy.
Congress should pass Wyoming public-lands bills this year Wyoming Sens. John Barrasso and Mike Enzi should do what they can to get the Wyoming Legacy Act and the Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters Legacy Act through the lame-duck session of Congress that begins Monday.
Park Service's winter plan for Yellowstone simply inadequate The National Park Service should set the daily limit of snowmobiles allowed in Yellowstone National Park at 720 until a final winter-use plan is in place.
Western Democrats say Obama will change public-lands policies Barack Obama's administration will likely focus on climate change and alternative energy, but environmental groups hope the Democratic president will also roll back some of the Bush administration's public lands policies. An analysis.
As Election Day nears, questions about new public lands boss arise After Election Day, the next president will select a new Interior Secretary to manage the nation's public lands, most of which are in the West, and speculation abounds about just who would be on the short list.
Hysteria mustn't drive bad bailout bill through Congress Idaho's congressmen were divided on the $700-billion bailout bill that failed in the U.S. House on Monday, but it's hard to tell whether Rep. Mike Simpson's approval of the bill or Rep. Bill Sali's opposition of the legislation was correct, as only time will tell.
Western states in play in U.S. presidential race Voters in the Rocky Mountain West will play a pivotal role in this year's presidential race, with New Mexico leaning toward Democrat Barack Obama; Arizona, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming tilting toward Republican John McCain; and Colorado, Montana and New Mexico too close to call; issues such as energy and alternative energy are getting a lot of attention in the resource-rich region, although it's the economy that's stealing the show this campaign season.
Picking Palin could deliver the West to McCain Republican presidential nominee John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has energized the Republican Party and that decision could capture Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and maybe even Colorado, all of which had appeared to be leaning toward Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
Idaho's roadless plan could map the way for future compromises The agreement between Idaho and the federal government on how the 9.3 million acres of federal roadless forest lands should be managed shows that there is room for compromise in the West, and Idaho Lt. Gov. Jim Risch deserves some of the credit for brokering the deal during his seven-month tenure of governor of the state.
Congress should set up a dedicated firewise, not firefighting, fund Even though the legislation crafted to create a federal fund to fight catastrophic wildfires brought together the odd ideological couple of Idaho Republican Rep. Bill Sali and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, the bipartisan effort on funding the wildfire fight should instead focus on firewise projects which could keep fires from reaching disastrous proportions.
Idaho cities need to push transit options The success of commuter rail systems in Denver and Salt Lake City could be repeated in Idaho's Treasure Valley, where higher gasoline prices have fueled a 58 percent increase in residents' use of Valley Regional Transit since October; the state Legislature could ease the way by allowing local governments the authority to raise sales taxes to help fund transit projects.
Growing urban areas change West's political landscape This year's presidential race has unearthed a rural-urban divide in the Rocky Mountain West, and neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have found a unifying message that appeals both to the rural hook-and-bullet crowd and the urban, outdoor-minded voters.
Simpson's move on Idaho wilderness bill a crap shoot U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson has spent years crafting his Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, carefully balancing environmental and economic interests, and his recent amendments to the bill could upset the fragile compromise he's worked so hard to create.
Snake River bill has ample protections for Idaho water users The objections coming out of Idaho to the Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters Legacy Act of 2008 have nothing to do with the act, which clearly states that nothing in the bill would affect existing water rights in Idaho and Wyoming, but are merely machinations to wrest management of the river away from the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
Kempthorne should pay off his own election debt When former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne was tapped to head up the Interior Department for President Bush in May 2006, he still owed about $26,000 for his successful 2002 gubernatorial run, and you'd think with his $191,300 annual salary now he'd be able to pay off the remaining $15,000, rather than resorting to a fundraiser scheduled next week in Idaho.
Protecting Idaho irrigators from Wyoming rivers bill imperative The worst-case scenario for Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo's Owyhee Canyonlands wilderness bill would be if it gets tossed in with Wyoming's Snake Headwaters Legacy Act, a measure Idaho water users oppose unless an amendment is added to include language similar to that in the Hells Canyon Recreation Area Act of 1975; Idaho lawmakers must work with Wyoming's congressional delegation to ensure both bills pass and Idaho's irrigators are protected.
It's about time Congress saw the error of their ethanol ways The facts against corn-based ethanol haven't changed: it still takes 1,700 gallons of water and 51 cents in tax credits to create one gallon of ethanol, and it's still the case that more petroleum-based fuel is used to plant and transport the biofuel than it ever saves commuters; but it is refreshing to see some die-hard supporters finally recognizing just how wrong-headed the ethanol push is.
Congress should pass Idaho senator's Owyhee Canyonlands bill Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo has spent the last seven years crafting legislation that would protect the Owyhee Canyonlands as wilderness as well as creating a new all-hands-in process for such measures, and Congress should reward Crapo's painstaking process and give Idaho it's first wilderness area in 28 years.
Give teachers a voice After struggling over the issue of how - and how much - to compensate Idaho's public school teachers, state officials now join teachers in a collaborative process.
Evaluating teachers key to future of merit pay plan Our view: At last, Superintendent Tom Luna is bringing interested parties to the table to develop standards for evaluating teachers in a pay-for-performance system.
Who knows what lurks in the minds of senators? Shortly before adjourning, the Senate voted to require voters to choose a particular party's ballot before voting in primary elections, and to authorize the state to record their choices.
Otter's squandered legislative session The governor is not entirely to blame for a squandered legislative session, but he sets the agenda. When the governor produces flawed ideas and then executes them poorly, there's nobody to fill the void.
2008 Legislature ignores long-term needs The 2008 session went on too long and achieved too little.
Blaming Otter for road funding failure ignores complexity of politics To suggest the Governor lost his fight to boost funding for roads and bridges because of a failure of leadership not only is unfair, but misreads the facts and discounts the complexity of persuading a conservative Legislature to raise taxes.
Where have you gone, Phil Batt? Our view: Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has a lot to learn about the untidy business of give-and-take.
Legislators head home on their potholed roads Gov. Butch Otter and legislative leaders let ideology and ego stand in the way of a primary responsibility: to keep the transportation system on which Idaho's economy depends running smoothly.
Grading the Legislature: It's a D The 2008 legislative session goes down as largely a waste of time, marred by a lack of action and an inability to unify and focus.
Luna starts fresh - and well - on teacher pay New task force charged with devising a better way to evaluate teachers' performance will include members who weren't part of the discussions on pay and performance last year.
Cheers and Jeers Cheers to the chair of the House Rev and Tax committee, to the Senate Education committee, and to a House-Senate conference committe for forging a compromise on the business personal property tax; jeers to a House member for incivility in the session's waning days.
Landmark tax-cut legislation will allow businesses to reinvest House GOP leaders laud the just-passed business personal property tax exemption bill.
Legislators unite to provide grocery tax relief Especially in light of the increasing prices in grocery staples such as bread, milk and meat, the increased income tax credit will be a much-appreciated help for Idahoans, especially those who struggle to earn a "living wage."
Lost opportunities and missing leadership in Boise Our view: The Idaho Legislature rates a "D" on its performance in the just-adjourned session.
A fine here, a fine there: This is a fine romance Lawmaker calls the business personal property tax a "fine for doing business;" if all taxes are fines, then we're all being punished for living.
When legislators cooperate, we get results Without a single dissenting vote, lawmakers passed a sound, affordable bill providing all businesses a break on a cumbersome property tax that they now pay on supplies, furnishings and equipment.
From the mouths of babes The new tax credit for groceries still misses many of Idaho's poorest citizens because it doesn't apply to those who receive food stamps.
Vote against tax bill was a vote against reason Senate's version of the business personal property tax exemption is vastly superior to the House's.
Why repeat this deadly mistake? Built in a geologically unsuitable location, the Teton Dam collapsed 32 years ago, killing 11 people and causing $1 billion in damage. Now the Idaho Legislature wants to invest $400,000 to consider rebuilding the dam.
Potential challengers decline to take on powerful Mike Moyle Until pro-business, pro-urban critics step out of the shadows and openly challenge House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, his power will continue to grow.
Idaho should study causes of child deaths Forty-nine states have panels that investigate child deaths - looking into suspicious cases and looking for ways to prevent similar deaths in the future; Idaho is the only one that doesn't.
Going over the Legislature's head to pay for local needs Our view: The Legislature won't empower most communities to use local-option taxation to pay for transportation and infrastructure. Citizens themselves will have to do it.
Unfair advantage Our View: Owners should get equity if property is auctioned.
Is unexpected child death now a parental right? Senator kills bill requiring review of child deaths over worries that parental rights will be usurped.
Bill's failure shows lawmaker hypocrisy It would cost each resident of Idaho 3 cents a year to set up a mortality review team to examine all unexpected child deaths. But the Idaho Legislature – made up primarily of conservative lawmakers who pride themselves on traditional family values – decided it won't happen this year.
Otter, Legislature need to get on same page Poor communication between Governor and lawmakers leads to private deals struck at the last-minute and, ultimately, to bad laws.
Get used to potholes: There will be lots more Our view: The Legislature failed us by not closing the state's highway repair funding deficit.
When it comes to road funding, something beats nothing The $68.5 million approved by the House Ways and Means Committee for road funding was a good start; with the economy softening, and the state surplus dwindling, what's wrong with that?
Lawmakers failed Idaho motorists By going home without a viable plan to boost highway funding, lawmakers dropped the ball on a critical issue.
Why can't Republicans just get along? Our view: Statehouse power struggles are hurting Idaho.
Unanimous Senate averts a fiscal train wreck Idaho Senate votes to remove the personal property tax for the first $75,000 worth of a company's business equipment, rather than for all that equipment, completely relieving 86 percent of Idaho businesses from paying the tax at all.
Turnabout: No rush, no harm to retirees Sen. Joe Stegner defends the Senate's work on state employee retiree benefits.
Cooler heads prevailing on repeal of business tax Our view: The state Senate did the right thing Thursday by voting for a compromise bill reducing Idaho's personal property tax.
Naming names Our view: Election integrity bill undermines its purpose.
His back to the wrong wall, Otter lashes out Governor vetoes laptops for legislators after they override his vetoes for substance-abuse programs.
A 1% raise with a benefits cut is far from 'a show of good faith' President of the Idaho Association of Government Employees calls the legislature's one percent pay raise "an insulting pay cut."
Day care neglected Our view: Idaho lawmakers drop ball on child-care oversight, again.
Splitting the difference on roads: Will voters take issue? Our view: The Legislature is poised to approve $68.5 million to repair Idaho's roads. That means a little pain for everybody who drives a car.
Democrats' stunt showcases senseless burials Two bills - one that proposes modest standards for small day-care centers, and another that requires departing legislators or executive branch officials to wait a year before lobbying the Legislature - deserved a vote by the full Senate.
Legislative session lags as spring warms capital The Legislature should have finished a week ago, but they've gotten themselves tangled over road funding.
The governor's curious veto In vetoing $16.8 million worth of substance abuse treatment for people caught up in the criminal justice system, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter ignored unanimous legislative support for that endeavor. He also seemed more inclined to fight the feds than Idaho's drug problems.
Idahoans value their freedoms Lawmakers have more important things to worry about than whether or not one, two, or 20 members of the Idaho legislative press corps enunciate every word of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Lawmakers take wrong approach to repeal The bill repealing the business personal property tax promises to reimburse local governments for the lost revenue, but does nothing to identify where the state will get the money.
Hard work helped get air quality bill passed Clean air advocates, including the Treasure Valley Air Quality Council, have pushed for state and local air quality solutions, in an attempt to preempt EPA sanctions.
Voters should decide on tax increases— not legislators or editors Rep. Ken Roberts defends the proposed constitutional amendment on local option taxes.
The quality of justice isn't the same across Idaho Our view: Public defenders in Idaho's largest and poorest counties are overworked and underpaid. Justice and public safety suffer as a result.
It's time to end taxpayers' subsidy of nation's mining companies The U.S. House has already passed an overhaul of the antiquated General Mining Act of 1872, but similar legislation in the Senate is facing some bedrock opposition from the likes of Nevada's Sen. Harry Reid, New Mexico's Sen. Pete Domenici and Idaho's Sen. Larry Craig; hopefully Washington's Sens. Maria Cantwell and Ron Wyden can convince their colleagues to dig through the rock-hard opposition and get this relic of the Gilded Age reworked. A column by Joel Connelly.
No. 1 rule: Tax break must be paid for It's time lawmakers called the proposed repeal of the business personal property tax what it really is: a tax shift.
As business pays less, guess who pays more The tax burden will continue to shift from business to individual property owners if the bill repealing the business personal property tax is signed into law.
Programs need to be funded Idaho must continue building its substance abuse treatment programs, instead of scaling them back. So it's imperative for lawmakers and Gov. Butch Otter to settle their differences and put money back into treatment budgets this session.
Raise taxes on beer and wine to pay for drug treatment programs Given the connection between substance abuse and the state's overcrowded prison problem, Idaho can hardly afford not to fully invest in the proven cost-effectiveness of drug abuse treatment.
Magic Valley livestock center could transform CAFOs The proposed Idaho Center for Livestock and Environmental Studies strives to become a state-of-the-science research center for dairy technology - and at the same time a good neighbor that will teach others in the industry to be good neighbors.
Constitutional amendment doesn't set impossible barrier Reps. Bob Schaefer and Gary Collins argue that if a project seeking a local-option sales tax increase is worthwhile, and if it is properly presented to the community, then a two-thirds threshold is definitely attainable.
Legislators make rules they don't follow Our view: One standard applies to folks who work in the private sector in Idaho, but high-profile public employees are exempt when they leave the state's employ.
Another assault on Idahoans' initiative power Bill that would require citizen ballot initiatives to include statements of their fiscal impact would ask more of initiative sponsors than lawmakers require from sponsors of legislative bills.
'That wolf is really bugging me - may I kill it?' Proposed law would give Idahoans the right to kill wolves that are guilty of "harassment," whatever that is.
Can you handle the truth? Fixing Idaho's roads is going to cost a lot of money, regardless of whether it's done through vehicle registration fees or gasoline taxes.
Constitutional amendment for taxes is ill-conceived Lawmakers show distrust of local elected officials, local voters and future legislatures by insisting on a constitutional amendment to govern local-option taxes.
Why cut funds for drug treatment when Idaho prisons are overflowing? Our view: The Legislature shouldn't let Gov. C.L. 'Butch' Otter get away with gutting the state's drug abuse treatment programs.
New source for government cash: government Increased motor vehicle registration fee would apply to school buses and government vehicles, not just private cars and trucks.
Turnabout: How would he combat drug abuse? Rep. Sharon Block takes editorialist Tom Henderson to task for criticizing her bill that would have offered scholarships to high school students who promised to stay drug-, alcohol- and tobacco-free, without offering a solution of his own.
Roads should be a pay-as-you-use affair Studies show that combination trucks cause the most wear and tear on Idaho roads, yet car owners pay most of the cost of repairs and maintenance, and will continue to do so if several proposals pass the legislature.
Wow! Grocery tax rebate finally a done deal Our View: Bill awaits governor's signature despite last-minute effort to derail legislation.
That 'obvious' tax hike can wait Higher vehicle registration fees, or any other new taxes for roads, should wait until the current messed-up tranportation funding system, dominated by GARVEE projects, is fixed.
Cheers & Jeers Jeers to House leaders for efforts to tie the hands of local officials and for pushing big tax breaks on the eve of a recession.
Idaho election system is overdue for an update Any election consolidation bill should should adapt to the high-tech, instant-messaging lifestyle of today's voters; voting should be easy and consistent and promote participation.
Victim shield law finally gets legs in Idaho Victims of violence should be able to keep their location hidden from their abusers, and this year, lawmakers passed a bill that will allow them to do just that, though private records are still not covered.
Twin Falls shouldn't have to resort to inventive funding Lawmakers should approve constitutional amendment that would, among other things, change the supermajority requirement to 50 percent-plus-one for local facilities funded by voluntary fees, such as parking or recreational facilities.
Rush to cut retiree benefits invites suspicion Lawmakers discover an emergency late in the legislative session that must be resolved with haste, without hearings and with little explanation to the people affected.
Building schools with a wink, nod Legislative push to consolidate elections may have detrimental effect on schools, especially efforts by poor districts to continue funding for facility maintenance and ongoing programs.
Highway audit is a smart step House approves Connecting Idaho highway bill, but many members remain suspicious of the Idaho Transportation Department; an audit of ITD can help sooth the suspicions.
Businesses get a big tax break in lean budget year Our view: Phasing out the personal property tax completely is bad tax policy - and a formula for budget problems ahead.
Floating home owners but prisoners of marinas Owners of floating homes face the same dilemma as residents of mobile home parks. They own their homes, but they have to rent the space where the home rests from someone else. Whether their home floats on water or rolls on pavement, moving it is usually expensive and difficult.
Infanger taught by example Ray Infanger of Salmon was among a class of Idaho lawmakers - such as Jim Stoicheff of Sandpoint and Richard Egbert of Tetonia - whose service in Boise involved tremendous personal sacrifice.
State has treated employees fairly No one will call the 3 percent raises for state workers extravagant, but they are a good faith and significant, even if incremental, step to fix a broken pay scale.
Want a big tax break? Idaho's happy to oblige Our view: Granting tax concessions to big companies without considering how they will affect the rest of the state's tax structure is wrong.
Lifting ban on liquor sales long overdue Our View: Election-day restriction does more harm to Idaho's economy than good.
Idaho cities and counties need alternative tax options Rep. Scott Bedke argues that only a few local Treasure Valley interests pushing specific transit plans are standing in the way of the legislature enabling local option taxes for all Idaho counties.
Don't ask, don't tell: Primaries should stay open Our view: The effort by a faction of stalwart Idaho Republicans to transform the GOP from a political party into an exclusive club is going nowhere.
House leaders know best on our local sales tax House leaders push constitutional amendment on local option taxes to thwart Treasure Valley transit plans.
Facing challenges means collaborating A legislative committee killed this year's attempt to promote conservation easements with tax credits - but the coalition of agriculture and conservation interests remains intact.
Why can't communities decide what's best for them? Our view: Once and for all, anti-tax hawks in the Idaho House of Representatives are looking to thwart local control.
Lawmakers must follow through on Idaho roads Holding up "Connecting Idaho" road funding in order to repeat an argument for more maintenance money does nothing to reduce the cost of road construction taxpayers eventually will pay.
Why encourage this misbehavior? Bill may allow county commissions, without hearings or accountability, to forgive property taxes on any new factory worth at least $3 million for as many as five years.
When opportunity knocks By passing two tax incentive measures, Idaho will make a competitive bid toward attracting the $2 billion Areva plant to Bonneville County and with it millions of dollars in future payroll.
Chocolate barred? What a futuristic nightmare Conservatives see the heavy hand of government in bill that would ask the Department of Education to prohibit unhealthy foods - loaded with sugar, caffeine, sodium and trans fats - to be sold from school vending machines.
Road funding must increase As one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation, the Treasure Valley faces monumental headaches if its transportation infrastructure can't be upgraded with large-scale improvements.
Election changes make good sense Consolidating all elections into two yearly dates would make things easier for voters, and possibly lessen the opposition to lowering the two-thirds supermajority requirement for passing school bonds.
Cheers & Jeers Jeers for perpetuating the inequities between what cars and trucks pay for upkeep on the roads, for a study on rebuilding the Teton dam, and for blocking a bill that would allow testimony on feedlots; Cheers for turning down a bill that would award scholarships in exchange for clean drug tests.
Lawmakers just keep shifting taxes from business to individuals Idaho legislators say the state can't afford to phase out the sales tax on groceries but they are getting ready to pass a business tax cut that will ultimately cost $120 million a year in state revenue.
Self-interest prevails in Boise House State Affairs Committee kills a measure that would have imposed penalties - including revocation of business licenses - on firms that knowingly hire workers illegally in this country.
Forensics is vital to law and order. It needs money JFAC reverses course and allocates money, though still less than the Governor requested, that could allow the Idaho State Police to add some staffers at its forensics labs.
Enlightened self-interest prevails in water agreement Our view: The landmark Snake River water-rights deal advanced this week in the Legislature could be a template for solving other water disputes.
Legislation breaks state's promise to its retirees Senate bill proposes to freeze medical benefits for many current retirees and abolish medical benefits for state workers hired after June 30 of this year.
After only six years, legislators see the obvious Lawmakers finally kill bill that would give scholarship money to students who promise to stay off drugs.
Roberts plays a blind hand with 93-page election consolidation opus Large, complicated proposal to consolidate elections in Idaho may face tough sledding so late in the session, especially when bill's sponsor admits he hasn't read the whole text.
Where's the difference? Bill to impose "cooling off" period on private sector employees who leave their employer sails through the Senate and a House committee; bill to impose "cooling off" period on lawmakers and top agency executives before they join lobbying firms stalls in the House.
Vending machine bill a step toward fighting obesity A bipartisan House majority voted to encourage public schools to stock vending machines with healthier foods.
Legislature shouldn't rush to approve tax breaks for Areva plant Executive director of the Snake River Alliance argues that proposed tax breaks for an uranium enrichment plant are not fair to other companies or taxpayers in eastern Idaho or to providers of other forms of energy, especially renewable.
You don't need be drunk to be an idiot voter Senators fret about a bill that would allow liquor sales on Election Day.
Making room for working families Local communities in resort areas need additional tools to deal with too much development and too little affordable housing for the people who work in those communities.
Bill deserves support from all Valley lawmakers Air quality is a statewide problem, and bill that enables an emissions testing program is worth passing if it helps avoid more onerous federal requirements.
Senate bill helps protect water rights and provide high-paying jobs Executive director of the Idaho Mining Association argues that SB 1348 would clarify an existing exception to the non-use provisions of Idaho mining law: cases where the non-use is due to circumstances beyond the control of the water right owner.
Not every government spending decision should require 2/3 vote Our view: The supermajority provision of the Idaho Constitution is costing the taxpayers money because it's been interpreted so narrowly by the courts.
Idaho's field burning law a lesson in compromise New law makes public health a paramount consideration but also allows farmers to resume burning their fields.
Do heroes wait to be dragged to peace table? Field burners should hardly be praised for negotiating a settlement only when there was absolutely no alternative left to pursue.
A lazy, back-handed Rx for illegal immigration Our view: The federal government - not farmers and dairymen - should enforce immigration law.
Let Luna invite teachers to help write pay plan Tom Luna tried imposing a merit-pay plan on public school teachers with neither their agreement nor participation, and failed. Next time, Idaho's state school superintendent should try collaboration.
Unfinished business awaits the next Legislature Transportation funding, taxes and tax breaks, college scholarships, merit pay for teachers head up the list of issues next year's legislators likely will face.
Give it back: Legislators get the message on grocery tax Our view: The Idaho House has finally begun the process of refunding the sales tax on groceries. More importantly, it targeted the relief at the worst-off Idahoans.
Children's rights Our View: Schools should tell parents before cops question kids.
Lock them up forever, or give them a chance? Gov. Otter should veto bill bill that gives local governments the ability to exclude group homes for paroled criminals from single-family neighborhoods.
It's time to reduce emissions Canyon County communities face the prospect of having the state force them to adopt vehicle emissions testing because it hasn't been done already at the local level.
Keep politics out of Idaho education Giving oversight of the Idaho Standard Achievement Test back to the Dept. of Education is a good first step, but the Governor should take an additional one and ask the Legislature to formally define the responsibilities of the State Board of Education.
Finally, putting a leash on Connecting Idaho Cheers for scaling back the Connecting Idaho roads project; Jeers for pseudo-science prevailing over science in the Idaho Senate.
Cheers & Jeers Jeers for lawmakers who took a free airplane ride; for those who helped kill the conservation easement legislation; and those who argued against the existence of global warming. Cheers for funding the Center for Advanced Energy Studies in eastern Idaho.
Lawmakers need to avoid appearance of impropriety 10 legislators broke no law, but nevertheless risked the appearance of undue influence by accepting a ride on a corporate jet to a GOP event in eastern Idaho.
Governor's Cup benefits students, not special interests Gov. Otter says the annual Governor's Cup event is simply to raise money for college scholarships, not for lobbyists to smooze politicians.
Fischer uses tired arguments against equal rights for gays Should an employer or manager's religion or beliefs confer a right to discriminate? Rep. LeFavour says no.
House bill will protect Idaho property owners Reps. Mike Moyle and Rich Wills argue for their bill to permit voters to call an election to reduce the budget of any taxing district where property tax revenue exceeds $250,000.
Groups don't fully understand wolf predicament Environmentalists in faraway cities don't know how living with wolves has changed our lives, and they ought to before they go to court to argue that Idaho doesn't yet have enough wolves.
The ground is shifting under state employees Sen. Coiner's bill requiring all retired state workers to use Medicare when eligible and stipulating that state employees be working for the state when they retire to receive benefits is fairer to state employees than Gov. Otter's pay and benefits proposal.
If government can't protect kids, why bother? Overzealous regulation can certainly be toxic, but if the government should be regulating anything, it should be those charged with the safety of children.
The real club for growth endorses a road tax Unlike the governor's proposed flat annual fee of $150, which would take the same amount from the owner of every vehicle, the gas tax takes the most from those who contribute the most to road wear.
The best part-time job in Idaho Nobody gets rich from serving in Idaho's citizen Legislature, but nobody's starving either.
Group homes fill a vital need; don't shun them Gov. Otter should veto bill that would give cities and counties authority to ban transition homes that accommodate convicted felons, on probation or parole, from certain neighborhoods.
Manage crime with treatment, not prisons Reader's View: BSU professor argues that current prison system assumes crime can be eliminated via isolation and punishment; in reality, it can only be managed through treatment.
Midwife licensing measure has critical flaws Reader's View: Pediatrician and neonatologist argues that lax requirements in midwife licensing bill are based on underreporting of poor outcomes, including permanent damage or death, of births outside of hospitals.
After-the-fact budgeting by ballot? You gotta be kidding Local officials predict chaos if bill that would permit voters to call an election to reduce the budget of any taxing district where property tax revenue exceeds $250,000 per year is approved.
Caring for kids Our View: Idaho should adopt rules on day cares, child deaths.
Idaho legislators debate - and doubt - global warming Bill to require two state agencies to gather information about greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy fails in Senate; opponents declare global warming bad science and media hype.
State board can't duck obligations In the years since Republicans seized control of the State Board of Education, it has mismanaged its responsibilities, and as a result, Idaho's education programs have suffered.
Voters need chance to decide for themselves on transit Voters know better than anyone else what mode of transportation - public or private - they'll use and how much they're willing to pay for it
Hard-won compromise falls in Idaho House House GOP leaders derail bill that proposes to use income tax credits to preserve open spaces and wildlife habitat through conservation easements.
How many ways can state say the same thing? Senate committee passes bill to prohibit local governments from doing what is already against the law - "regulate[] in any manner the sale, acquisition, transfer, ownership, possession, transportation, carrying or storage of firearms."
Radford's an agreeable fellow Before Bonneville County Commissioner Dave Radford told reporters he solidly supported giving voters access to a permanent absentee ballot, he told at least one legislator he had concerns about the idea.
Put your energy behind this policy Opening Idaho's 2.46 million acres of endowment lands to renewable energy projects harnessing sources like wind, geothermal and solar power would help generate clean energy and funds for public education.
Luna, IEA must focus on '09 plan Supt. Luna and the teachers' union should work together to find a pay plan that rewards teachers for fostering high student achievement in many areas - not just on standardized tests.
Grocery tax debate put to rest, for now Bill that would gradually boost income tax rebates on the 6 percent sales tax Idahoans pay on groceries passes a House committee.
ISTARS isn't going away; How can we do it better? Our view: This year's version of the Idaho State Advancement and Recognition System was too much about confrontation. Next year's version should focus on cooperation.
An unknowing swipe at Idaho attorney general It wasn't Lawrence Wasden who made it extremely difficult to penalize public officials who conduct the public's business behind closed doors. Sloppy wording by legislators and a series of rulings by Idaho courts did.
Opting for the carrot to keep kids off drugs Our view: Twin Falls state Rep. Sharon Block is right: Incentives can be an effective tool for keeping kids clean and sober.
New law will be tougher on lobbyists Idaho Legislature appears to be tightening up the requirements for lobbyists who work to influence policy in the Gem State.
State needs clue in Case of the Vanishing Paper Since many agencies produce only digital copies of documents, creating a digital repository to help agencies meet their archiving requirements makes sense.
Locking them up and throwing away our purse Story about rising incarceration rates grabbed recent headlines, but the effects on state budgets of locking away more and more people will rival the challenges posed by rising Medicaid and Social Security costs.
Know-nothings on the State Board State Board of Education members say they didn't knowingly break the open meetings law, so the Attorney General says they won't have to pay fines.
Local-option tax supporters may need to go to the people A voter initiative to allow a local-option sales tax for transportation needs would be better than a consitutional amendment, or waiting for the legislature to act.
Look beyond $150 registration fees Unlike a vehicle registration fee, which only hits Idahoans and applies no matter how much a car is driven, a hike in gasoline tax would target those, residents and non-residents alike, who actually use the roads.
It's everybody's problem, so let everybody speak Our view: The one-mile limit on public testimony about confined animal feeding operations is undemocratic, and in the long run, counterproductive.
Instead, increase Idaho's motor fuel, er . . . fee Why not rename the state's fuel tax the road user fee and raise it instead of the vehicle registration fee?
Time to delist the wolves, breathe deeply and relax We should let the delisting process proceed, let ranchers protect their livestock and let hunters try their skill and their luck if they choose.
Turnabout: Preschool education not on our agenda Reps. Lawerence Denney and Bob Nonini argue that existing problems in education should be fixed before worrying about creating a new pre-K program - if then.
Turnabout: Worst sentences go to worst criminals Only 11 of nearly 350 felonies defined by Idaho law involve a mandatory minimum sentence, so blaming mandatory minimums for Idaho's exploding prison population is wrong.
Mining industry should follow same rules as other water users Senate bill says that if a mining operation stops using water because of "mineral prices," it can move elsewhere for as long as it wants, then return with its prior water rights intact.
Economic conditions call for using rainy day funds With inflation on the rise and with weak consumer spending hampering the economy, this is a bad time to lay off teachers and other state workers. Instead, it's exactly the right time to draw on the rainy day reserves. That's what they're there for.
Cheers & Jeers Otter's bad idea gets worse, but good ideas and deeds on pre-K education and drug treatment make headway in the legislature.
Montana senators' effort on guns in national parks misguided Montana's U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester, along with Wyoming's Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo are among the 51 senators urging the Interior Department to revamp its policy about loaded guns in national parks, but the only thing wrong with the current policy, which allows gun owners to transport unloaded, stored guns in parks, is that 2008 is an election year.
Water storage capacity lags population growth Idaho is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and the legislature is right to urge the federal government to support new storage projects for Snake River water to handle its expanding needs.
Legislative pay is already adequate Many Idahoans in the private sector think the pay and benefits legislators earn for only three months of work is already pretty generous.
Delisting is progress Our View: Wolf population needs to be contained, maintained.
Spring's almost here: Time for road wars House Republican leaders unveil rival plan to Governor's, proposing to rein in GARVEE spending and recommending a lower increase in vehicle registration fees.
Board of Education too ignorant to obey law By declining to fine State Board of Education members for making a decision about ISAT tests behind closed doors, the attorney general all but says the open meetings law serves more as a statement of principle than as a legally binding statute.
This Legislature's defining moment House tax committee is about to decide the fate of a bill devoting $3 million a year toward conservation easements that would safeguard Idaho's heritage of open space, rural communities and wildlife habitat.
Proposed tax breaks for Areva deserve scrutiny Lawmakers should slow down and consider the implications - economic, political, and environmental - of giving tax breaks for a proposed uranium enrichment plant near Idaho Falls.
Idaho needs secure mental health facility The director of the Idaho Department of Correction urges the legislature to fund a new mental health facility so that acutely mentally ill inmate-patients can be housed separately from maximum security prisoners.
Lawmakers squabble over smaller state employee raises Some lawmakers argue there's not enough money for the Governor's original 5% pay raise proposal, but others say there would be if legislators would reconsider millions in sales tax exemptions.
The Areva tax breaks Idaho lawmakers are pondering two tax measures to lure a $2 billion uranium enrichment plant to Bonneville County; since it would affect tax receipts only in Bonneville County, the legislature should let the locals take on the risk.
Dropping private prison was display of business sense A private prison might have saved the state money on the front end, but over the long term, it would have cost more - and would have left the state at the mercy of a private contractor.
Modest compensation keeps Idaho's Legislature grounded Our view: Idaho legislators are probably underpaid, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Finally, dogfighting law has some teeth It took a few years, but the Idaho Legislature passed, and Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed into law, a bill that makes running a dogfighting operation a felony.
Idaho chains kids to bleachers in race of life New survey from BSU says most Idahoans think the state not only should help provide prekindergarten education, but already does; however, reality is the state forbids spending money on pre-K programs.
Pit bulls safe now, but what about fenced elk? Idaho now has a law making dogfighting a felony, but the problem that really calls for a law is shooter-bull game farm operations.
Column made a baaaad comparison A recent analysis of Idaho's domesticated sheep industry substantially underestimated its value to the economy and may have overstated the risk those sheep pose to Idaho's wild bighorn sheep populations.
Funny name, serious threat Almost overnight, quagga mussels can destroy entire fisheries, even in abundant lakes like Pend Oreille and Coeur d'Alene.
Liquor task force fails to offer direction Gov. Otter appointed a task force in 2007 to suggest ways to re-do the state's outmoded liquor licensing laws, but its lack of action has led to a special interest land rush on the legislature.
Areva brought its arrogance to the wrong state Our view: Idaho's still stinging from being deceived by Micron and Albertsons. We're not about to roll over for Areva.
Idaho's AG Wasden gives ed board a pass The Attorney General recommends State Board of Education members get training on the state's Open Meeting law, rather than fines for violating it.
Time for public-funded preschool programs in Idaho BSU poll says a majority of Idahoans believe the government should help provide high-quality pre-kindergarten programs.
Lots of leaking arguments against boat safety House committee kills bill requiring children under the age of 14 to take a boating safety course and be under adult supervision before driving Jet-skis or motorboats.
Invest now, and receive the payoff later Help prevent child abuse by supporting the Idaho Children's Trust Fund.
Working Idahoans have waited long enough for sales tax relief No one defends the regressive 6 percent sales tax on groceries, offset slightly by an income tax credit, and not fixing the problem represents a broken promise to working-class and low-income Idahoans.
Lawmakers make no progress on the session's key issues Transportation funding still waiting on specific proposals from the Governor; grocery tax relief is still . . . waiting.
Something's got to change in Idaho education Our view: It's time to restructure the way Idaho runs its public schools and colleges.
A cab runner can open eyes The Idaho Legislature should not extend in-state college tuition to illegal immigrants, but legal immigrants should be warmly welcomed.
Lawmakers must expand crime lab JFAC votes down adding six new staff members at the state police forensics labs, furthering delays in testing on DNA, fingerprints and other crime scene evidence.
A last gasp from Idaho House's Indian fighters Eight House members vote against agreements Gov. Butch Otter reached with four Idaho tribes over taxing tribal gasoline sales.
State Board needs scrutiny from Otter The State Board of Education has become a "dysfunctional family." The board is now a part of the extended family that is Otter's executive branch of government. It is time for Otter to take ownership and demonstrate leadership.
Gov. Otter's scholarship stand will improve Gem State The Opportunity Scholarship will help develop more college-educated Idaho residents.
High-tech crime busting hits the wall in Idaho Denying the Idaho State Police $640,000 to hire six new staffers for its crime lab will delay criminal investigations, and justice.
Midwives should not be allowed to play doctor Midwives are valuable medical professionals, but if they want the same rights as doctors to, for example, dispense prescriptions, they should undergo the same medical training.
Leaders take bite out of dog fighting House passes bill to make running a dogfighting operation a felony.
Sum of the parts: A new idea for school consolidation Our view: State Rep. Donna Pence has devised a strategy for breaking through the mistrust that keeps rural Idaho school districts from consolidating.
Grants should not supplant ed funding Cutbacks and a little belt tightening are one thing, but forcing schools to turn to grants to fund required programs is an abdication of legislative responsibility.
Why promote game farms? Game farm elk remain a threat to Idaho's wild game animals; they're susceptible to disease - the fatal Chronic Wasting Disease, tuberculosis and brucellosis - and they can spread it to wild game animals.
Bill is danger to civil liberties, violates freedoms of business owners Bryan Fischer argues that antidiscrimination bill would punish Idaho employers and landlords who take homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality or transgenderism into account in business decisions.
Gov. Otter can't wash his hands of McGee's conduct Our view: Gov. C.L. 'Butch' Otter must share responsibility for problems at the State Board of Education.
Milk hardly the remedy for Idaho's tubby kids The proposed official state beverage may have plenty of benefits, but by itself it's hardly the antidote to obesity its promoters claim.
Legislature wrong to dismiss pre-K study bill Knowing whether a good preschool or day-care program actually helps prepare young children for kindergarten would be useful information in this emotional debate.
Luna could steal an idea or two from weTEACH Our view: Not everything about the Idaho Education Association's weTEACH alternative to Tom Luna's iSTARS initiative is merely union intransigence.
Life's an essay question, not a standardized test There ought to be additional ways to determine a teacher's merit. Using only the ISAT means more time focusing on tests and less time educating students.
Looking beyond ISDB to see Gooding's future Our view: Whatever the fate of the Idaho State School for the Deaf and the Blind, Gooding has assets it can use to attract good jobs to town.
Regulation of firearms should be left to schools Bill that would bar colleges from banning guns on campus is based on movie-like fantasy that a calm, quick-thinking person could head off or minimize a tragedy with a well-placed shot.
Black helicopters hover again over Legislature A memorial resolution warns that the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America "are being used to nullify the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution."
Short-term gain, long-term pain Private prisons may cost less than state-owned ones in the short run, but only drug treatment, counseling and education will lead to fewer prisoners, and lower costs, over the long run.
No need to call, Tom Giving Idahoans access to absentee ballots on a permanent basis is a sound idea. However, friends can disagree on the idea's merits.
Times may be tough, but growth requires spending About a 100 people per day move to Idaho, and economic downturn or no economic downturn, they require services from their government.
Memories steel GOP leaders to cut spending growth A cooling economy prompted a sudden change in the climate at the Legislature, which moved swiftly last week to chill spending after a two-year, $120 million fall in projected revenue.
Give grocery tax rebate to those who need it Our view: What's $20 a year? Ask an Idahoan who makes less than $8,750.
Open your wallets: More addicts in pipeline One key to lowering prison population is to relax mandatory minimum sentencing laws and give judges discretion in substance abuse cases.
See your house burn as firefighters commute Some Idaho lawmakers suggest developers in affluent communities such as Sun Valley should help pay for affordable housing. Developers, as you might expect, balk at the idea.
An Idaho legislator leaves his thin skin showing People who have thrust themselves into the public arena can expect to have their words and actions scrutinized, and even criticized on occasion.
Lawmakers need to stay focused Disappointing revenue forecast shouldn't deter lawmakers from addressing critical issues such as highway funding, teacher pay, state employee raises, and a college scholarship fund.
Fifteen liquor licenses for resort, none for you Some proprietors have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars on the open market for existing liquor licenses, while politically well-connected seekers can get theirs cheap from the legislature.
Cheers & Jeers Cheers for senators who tried stopping Tamarack's attempt to bypass liquor license quota, and to the Interfaith Roundtable for pointing out the obvious on grocery taxes; Jeers to lawmakers for stopping bill to make absentee voting easier, and for saying no to judicial discretion on drug offences.
Opportunity Scholarship Fund invests in future Gov. Otter advocates adding $50 million more to a scholarship trust fund in order to help needy students afford post-secondary education.
Local control in Idaho struck in a pothole Legislators should stand up to the trucking lobby and allow local highway districts to use tolls or local-option taxes to pay for road repairs.
Pay-plan compromise good politics in Idaho State Supt. Luna wisely agrees to drop requirement that teachers give up contract protections in order to earn pay bonuses.
Dangerous odds If you put your child in an unlicensed day care in much of Idaho, odds may be one-in-five you've left your kid with a convicted felon; bill that would lessen the odds is stalled in the Senate.
Sen. Jorgenson had the right idea, not enough savvy State senator's call for accountability from the State Board of Education is justified, but his bull-in-the-China-shop tactics are damaging his chances for a serious inquiry into what went wrong.
Artificial scarcity's pricey cocktail Cost to acquire a limited, and scarce, liquor license in Idaho is pricey, unless you're well-connected enough to by-pass the open market and secure one from the legislature.
Legislature can set an example with 'green' bills Bills to require more energy-efficient public buildings and to allow state agencies to study climate change will help the environment, and save the state money too.
State's study of safety at schools could lead to key fixes Study to assess how well school districts protect students from violence and other threats says safety and security are inadequate, but shows just where the fixes are needed.
Believe it or not, luck still favors the prepared Whether or not the threat of global warming is real, assuming it's not could be fatal.
Wasting away in Hendersonville The constitutional right to freedom of association doesn't mean freedom from association.
Schools need concurrent enrollment Giving high school students the opportunity to earn college credits can help encourage more young Idahoans to attend college and enable them to graduate sooner.
Does Idaho have a nuclear future? Expanding commercial nuclear power remains a key to this nation's energy future and independence. When - or whether - Idaho and the proposed plant in Owyhee County become part of that story remains to be seen.
Inquiries about Ed Board should be open to all Claiming that a public hearing could turn into a "circus," several lawmakers on the Senate Education Committee have met privately with State Board of Education members.
The friends of Butch: Accountability and conflict New appointee to head up Department of Administration is also on the regional board of Regence Blue Shield, an insurance company the state does a lot of business with.
Yes, take the ed board's operational toys away It's time to return the State Board of Education to a policy-making role and give the State Department of Education back the operational duties the Board took from it.
Turnabout: Cheap shots, no warning Rep. Nonini says newspaper should have tried to contact him before publishing negative editorials.
It's a tight budget year: Get over it January revenue shortfall means Governor Otter and Supt. Luna won't get all the budget items they asked for.
How secure are your kids at school? Not very We're fortunate there's never been a Columbine-style tragedy in Idaho, but there's clearly nothing in the public school security infrastructure to prevent it.
School districts still in search of what they won In 2005, the Idaho Supreme Court upheld a trial court finding that legislators were not meeting their obligation to provide safe buildings, but called for no specific action and deemed the case closed; school districts have now sued the high court to get some action.
Luna's light on details Supt. of Public Instruction says it's "highly unlikely" that legislature wouldn't fund iSTARS merit raises for teachers, but lots of past history says promises aren't always kept.
For lawmakers, a time for caution - but not panic January tax collections fell $38.5 million short of projections, but lawmakers still have plenty of unfinished business: teacher and state employee pay; grocery and personal property tax relief; funding for highway repairs.
Democrats' big turnout offers GOP wake-up call Republican Party leaders can't take their long-held dominance in Idaho's elected offices for granted.
Turnabout: Protect the rights of employers, landlords Bryan Fischer argues that anti-discrimination bill would violate employers' and landlords' freedom of conscience if they're forced to employ or rent to gays and lesbians.
Service hopes to inform victims IdahoVINE - Victim Information and Notification Everyday - will help victims keep track of the perpetrators of crimes against them.
Nobody's fixin' to poach the Panhandle's water Southern Idahoans have been going through adjudication for 23 years, yet no one has poached its water; the northerners' panic has more to do with ancient regional rivalries than with reality.
Cheers & Jeers Jeers for potential lobbyist conflict of interest; for a flawed study on child sex abuse; and for bill to allow concealed weapons on college campuses.
Idaho should revise sentencing, parole policies Prisons would not be overcrowded if there were adequate, affordable drug treatment and sentencing alternatives.
Electronic monitoring of sex offenders good idea Bill would require that violent sexual predators — criminals who have molested or raped victims and are determined as high-risk or likely candidates for reoffending — must wear electronic monitors.
GARVEE could run Idaho into the ditch Idaho gets more money for roads than it pays in federal fuel taxes, and states that subsidize us aren't happy; funds counted on to pay for GARVEE bonds may not be available in future years.
When a mine's life ends, pollution's should too But, legislation sponsored by Idaho Mining Association would prohibit Idaho's Department of Environmental Quality from requiring mining companies to restore groundwater beneath their mines to its natural condition when the mines are closed and abandoned.
Idaho's new state motto: 'Trash it and leave it' Mining operations should be required to clean up after themselves, despite objections of the mining lobby.
Fixing Dirk's dysfunctional board Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter could soon have the opportunity to replace three State Board of Education members responsible for much of what's gone wrong with that agency.
Raise school zone speeding fines A bill introduced in the Senate Transportation Committee to increase the fine of speeding violations in school zones to $116.50 would help protect children.
Substance abuse treatment saves lives, money Research on the effects of treatment on wage earning, incarceration rates and costs, public health costs, crime reduction and other factors consistently reflects benefits of money spent on treatment.
No need for rush to judgment on iSTARS Our view: Idaho can afford to wait a year and get the iSTARS teacher merit pay plan right.
Day care bill deserves serious discussion Parents leave their children in daycare in order to work; they deserve to know that their children are in a safe facility.
Writing checks with your money Members of the Legislature's budget-writing committee represent a mostly rural state with limited resources. So budget-writers must scrutinize the spending requests state agencies submit to them.
Can the Great Nonini read women's thoughts? Lawmaker pushes bill that would make it a crime, in some cases a felony, to coerce a person into having an abortion.
Preserving Idaho's open spaces A diverse coalition of farmers/ranchers, sporting enthusiasts and conservationists has joined forces to back a plan to offer landowners incentives to sign conservation easements.
Maybe fourth time's a charm North Idaho lawmaker tries for the fourth consecutive year to change Idaho's laws regulating child care centers.
It's time for plain talk about fairness Lawmakers should support bill to protect those who are fired, denied housing, education or public services simply because they are gay.
A high-country outrage: Greed and myopia in Blaine County Legislature should grant resort communities of Ketchum, Hailey and Sun Valley the authority to impose luxury taxes on wealthy, part-time residents and use that money to subsidize affordable housing.
A call for accountability from Idaho's ed board Senator threatens State Board of Education members with subpoenas to get answers about mismanagement of statewide public school testing program.
Don't know what you've got 'til it's gone The Idaho Ranch, Farm and Forest Protection Act would give a tax break to Idahoans who protect their land from urban growth.
Obama rocks Idaho Thousands of Idahoans waited for hours in the cold to get to see and hear Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama speak in Boise.
Gun nuts can take pride in state without sense Idaho lags other states in curbing firearm trafficking, strengthening background checks, child safety, banning military-style assault rifles and making it harder to carry guns in public places.
Idaho governor clueless on conflict of interest At least the former Otter chief of staff turned Idaho Power lobbyist had enough good sense to resign from Legislative Compensation Committee before getting involved in any deliberations.
State needs to provide money for drug court Drug courts are a great idea, but insufficient money from the state budget to fund them create an unfunded mandate for the counties that must operate them.
Senate right on dogfight measure Senators vote 31-4 to make running a dogfight operation a felony.
Why are we still arguing about grocery taxes? Two years ago, then-Gov. Risch - and by extension the Legislature - made a moral commitment to grocery tax relief when they raised the sales tax from 5 percent to 6 percent.
It's time they delivered.
Sorry, Teach, a surrendered contract is forever If, under Supt. Luna's iSTARS pay plan, teachers give up their right to a continuing contract, they lose that right forever, even if the legislature fails to come through with promised pay increases.
It's gridlock again for the Idaho Legislature Surveys show a sizable majority of Idaho citizens favors eliminating the sales tax on groceries, but personal and institutional differences keep lawmakers from resolving the issue.
Cheers & Jeers: Are they trying to fail? Jeers for a misguided grocery sales tax plan, for holding an anti-discrimination bill in committee without hearings, and for supporting a salmon restoration plan that won't work; Cheers for finding money for new energy research program in Idaho Falls, and to the retiring head of the Idaho American Civil Liberties Union.
Idaho's future is on the table Few issues are more important than energy, and how Gov. C.L. 'Butch' Otter treats funding for a collaborative advanced energy research center in eastern Idaho will help determine his legacy.
U.S. should invest funds in infrastructure rather rebates The plan of President Bush and Congress to put the nation back on the road to economic recovery by hobbling it with more debt is ludicrous and more the material of the Brothers Grimm than of sound fiscal policy, and should the federal government want to invest in the nation's future it should dump its money where it's needed most - in the nation's roads, bridges and other aging infrastructure.
Wolf plan brings balance Idaho's plan to manage wolves will not satisfy those who want more wolves or those who want no wolves, but it will stabilize the species's population and minimize public animosity about the issue.
Legislature should OK voluntary midwifery licensing bill Licensing would help assure professional care for women who want to give birth at home or at birthing centers.
Drug treatment in Idaho: A world turned upside down If you're an addict in Idaho with no criminal record, your odds of getting into a treatment program are substantially lower than those of a felon with a drug problem.
Democrats' goals are the same as Rod Beck's GOP's efforts to restrict primaries to party registrants will only encourage independents to vote Democratic.
Idaho Legislature is always good for a few laughs Lighter moments ease legislators' hard work, from big debates, such as Supt. Luna's $46 million teacher pay proposal, to small ones such as hammering out alphabetical protocol in a therapists' licensing bill.
Tying a judge's hands Passing mandatory minimum sentences for child molesters is tempting, but legislators should resist and allow judges to weigh all circumstances - including the possibility of rehabilitation - before imposing sentence.
Idaho jumps on an anti-immigrant bandwagon A bill to keep illegal immigrants from getting driver's licenses is moving through the Idaho Legislature, but passing it may lead to unintended consequences.
Even Reagan could not create deficits in Idaho Idaho cities and counties will need hard-to-find replacement revenue from the state if lawmakers repeal the personal property tax on business equipment and supplies.
What you don't know can hurt your kids Criminal background checks for school bus drivers that work for outside companies are necessary for the safety of children.
Economizing? Not in Idaho Idaho has more school districts than it needs and fewer sidewalks - or public transportation - than it should. But don't count on this legislative session to deal with either.
GARVEE is Idaho's bridge too far Other regions of the state are right to call Connecting Idaho "a bottomless pit for Ada and Canyon counties."
Idaho should look at the road Utah cleared on transit When Salt Lake City was beset by traffic congestion and air pollution problems a few years ago, business leaders teamed up with state officials to convince lawmakers to give counties and cities the right to levy taxes to build mass transit systems; now that Idaho's capitol city is struggling with the same problems, maybe Idaho's business leaders need to get on the mass transit bus.
Committee chairs can use power reasonably Senate State Affairs Committee chair has right to block hearings on bills, such as the gay anti-discrimination measure, that he believes have no chance of passing.
Otter's drug czar undismayed by budget battle Office of Drug Policy Director acknowledges she wasn't prepared to track performance that would have justified new state spending.
Budget demystified Our View: Online 'tax maps' offer clear look at state spending.
Outsource prison ownership and operation? No Lawmakers have good reasons to be wary of governor's proposal to let one single company build and operate private prisons in Idaho.
Idaho's teachers are not for sale State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna would force teachers to give up fair employment practices in order to get a raise - and that's not in your child's best interest.
Idaho's foster-care system needs help, and soon Stress and low pay create turnover among caseworkers so high that kids are forced to stay in foster care longer than is good for them, or the foster parents.
Roberts overlooks those first in tax relief line Repealing or lowering the sales tax on groceries should come before eliminating any business personal property tax.
Anti-gay discrimination measure deserves a hearing Senate committee chair says he probably won't schedule hearing for an anti-discrimination bill, but issue is important enough for further public and legislative discussion.
The key to energy independence for Idaho New policies and incentives are needed to spur investment in homegrown renewable energy projects in Idaho.
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